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The Outsiders
Adapted by Christopher Sergel. From the book by S.E. Hinton.
Cast: 10m., 8w. (extras as desired.) Some variations possible. S.E. Hinton, who wrote this modern classic when she was 16 years old, comments: "The Outsiders, like most things I write, is written from a boy's point of view. That's why I'm listed as S.E. Hinton rather than Susan. (I figured most boys would look at the book and think 'What can a chick know about stuff like that!') None of the events are taken from life, but the rest—how kids think and live and feel—is for real. The characters—Dallas, who wasn't tough enough; Sodapop, the happy-go-lucky dropout; Bob, the rich kid whose arrogance cost him his life; Ponyboy, the sensitive, green-eyed Greaser who didn't want to be a hood—they're all real to me. Many of my friends are Greasers, but I'm not. I have friends who are rich, too, but nobody will ever call me a Soc—I've seen what money and too much idle time and parental approval can do to people. Cool people mean nothing to me—they're living behind masks and I'm always wondering "Is there a real person underneath?" This entirely practical stage adaptation deals with real people, seen through the eyes of young Ponyboy, a Greaser on the wrong side of life, caught up in territorial battles between the have-it-made rich kids—the Socs—and his tough, underprivileged "greaser" family and friends. In the midst of urban warfare, somehow Ponyboy can't forget a short poem that speaks of their fragile young lives:
Nature's first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower; But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf. So Eden sank to grief,
so dawn goes down to day. Nothing gold can stay.
"Robert Frost wrote it," Ponyboy tells Johnny. "I always remembered it because I never quite got what he meant by it." Cherry, a beautiful Soc, comes to share a special sensitivity with Ponyboy as she discovers that he remembers poems and needs to watch sunsets. At the same time, Cherry's attracted to the older, tougher Dallas, and in a sense she's caught in the violent space between the Greasers and the Socs. While the Socs appear to have everything, the only thing a Greaser has is his friends. As these young people try to find themselves and each other, as the sadness of sophistication begins to reach them and their battles and relationships reach a resolution, Ponyboy's dying friend, Johnny, sends him a last message … I've been thinking about the poem that guy wrote. He meant you're gold when you're a kid, like green. When you're a kid everything's new, dawn. It's just when you get used to everything that it's day. Like the way you dig sunsets, Pony. That's gold. Keep it that way. It's a good way to be. This is a play about young people who are not yet hopeless about latent decency in the midst of struggle. Area staging. Approximate Running Time: 2 hours.
Cast: 10m., 8w. (extras as desired.) Some variations possible. S.E. Hinton, who wrote this modern classic when she was 16 years old, comments: "The Outsiders, like most things I write, is written from a boy's point of view. That's why I'm listed as S.E. Hinton rather than Susan. (I figured most boys would look at the book and think 'What can a chick know about stuff like that!') None of the events are taken from life, but the rest—how kids think and live and feel—is for real. The characters—Dallas, who wasn't tough enough; Sodapop, the happy-go-lucky dropout; Bob, the rich kid whose arrogance cost him his life; Ponyboy, the sensitive, green-eyed Greaser who didn't want to be a hood—they're all real to me. Many of my friends are Greasers, but I'm not. I have friends who are rich, too, but nobody will ever call me a Soc—I've seen what money and too much idle time and parental approval can do to people. Cool people mean nothing to me—they're living behind masks and I'm always wondering "Is there a real person underneath?" This entirely practical stage adaptation deals with real people, seen through the eyes of young Ponyboy, a Greaser on the wrong side of life, caught up in territorial battles between the have-it-made rich kids—the Socs—and his tough, underprivileged "greaser" family and friends. In the midst of urban warfare, somehow Ponyboy can't forget a short poem that speaks of their fragile young lives:
Nature's first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower; But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf. So Eden sank to grief,
so dawn goes down to day. Nothing gold can stay.
"Robert Frost wrote it," Ponyboy tells Johnny. "I always remembered it because I never quite got what he meant by it." Cherry, a beautiful Soc, comes to share a special sensitivity with Ponyboy as she discovers that he remembers poems and needs to watch sunsets. At the same time, Cherry's attracted to the older, tougher Dallas, and in a sense she's caught in the violent space between the Greasers and the Socs. While the Socs appear to have everything, the only thing a Greaser has is his friends. As these young people try to find themselves and each other, as the sadness of sophistication begins to reach them and their battles and relationships reach a resolution, Ponyboy's dying friend, Johnny, sends him a last message … I've been thinking about the poem that guy wrote. He meant you're gold when you're a kid, like green. When you're a kid everything's new, dawn. It's just when you get used to everything that it's day. Like the way you dig sunsets, Pony. That's gold. Keep it that way. It's a good way to be. This is a play about young people who are not yet hopeless about latent decency in the midst of struggle. Area staging. Approximate Running Time: 2 hours.
75 pages, Paperback
First published April 27, 1990
77 people are currently reading
1000 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Sergel
54 books18 followersChristopher Sergel's interests and talents led him on many adventures throughout the world. As captain of the schooner Chance, he spent two years in the South Pacific; as a writer for Sports Afield magazine, he lived in the African bush for a year; as a lieutenant commander during WWII, he taught celestial navigation; as a playwright, his adaptation of Sherwood Anderson's Winesburg, Ohio was seen on Broadway. But throughout his life, his greatest adventure and deepest love was his work with Dramatic Publishing. During this time, he wrote adaptations of To Kill a Mockingbird, Cheaper By the Dozen, The Mouse That Roared, Up the Down Staircase, Fame, Black Elk Speaks and many more. His love of theatre and his caring for writers made him a generous and spirited mentor to many playwrights here and around the world. His inspiration and integrity attracted to the company fine writers including C.P. Taylor, Timberlake Wertenbaker, Arthur Miller, Roald Dahl and E.B. White - to name just a few. He once said he hoped to be remembered as E.B. White described Charlotte…
"…a true friend and a good writer."
"…a true friend and a good writer."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews
March 29, 2012
Brilliant.
May 27, 2013
While it is remarkable that Hinton wrote this as a 15 year old (and thus exceeded my published output before she could legally drive), it is, ultimately, a book written by a 15 year old.
Okay, it seemed to capture the angst of the kids in my 9th grade class, but if people worry about Catcher in the Rye being dated, this is as contemporary as a kidney-shaped pool and knotty pine paneling. The "hoodlums" use epithets such as "Golly" while pulling out a "switch," and get psyched up for their rumble by doing back-flips they learned in gymnastics class.
It's more than just language though: the brothers are not only fairly two dimensional, but they are just swell guys with hearts full of brotherly love. This is a book that screams it is being written by a girl (or at least not-a-guy) as our greaser protagonist describes the color of his fellow gang members' eyes, the cut of their hair, the muscles of their chests . . . it's all a little homoertic, with a sharp sense of fashion thrown in. Add to that some syrupy sentiment centered on sunsets as a cross social-status touchstone, and you've got all the makings for an after-school special directed by . . . Francis Ford Coppolla?
It was an interesting fit as part of the trilogy of books we read from 1st person pov with a loss of innocence theme, but I would not read this with a class all on its own.
Okay, it seemed to capture the angst of the kids in my 9th grade class, but if people worry about Catcher in the Rye being dated, this is as contemporary as a kidney-shaped pool and knotty pine paneling. The "hoodlums" use epithets such as "Golly" while pulling out a "switch," and get psyched up for their rumble by doing back-flips they learned in gymnastics class.
It's more than just language though: the brothers are not only fairly two dimensional, but they are just swell guys with hearts full of brotherly love. This is a book that screams it is being written by a girl (or at least not-a-guy) as our greaser protagonist describes the color of his fellow gang members' eyes, the cut of their hair, the muscles of their chests . . . it's all a little homoertic, with a sharp sense of fashion thrown in. Add to that some syrupy sentiment centered on sunsets as a cross social-status touchstone, and you've got all the makings for an after-school special directed by . . . Francis Ford Coppolla?
It was an interesting fit as part of the trilogy of books we read from 1st person pov with a loss of innocence theme, but I would not read this with a class all on its own.
May 6, 2015
The perfect book for teens who feel like they are being judged for what they look like,who they are, and how much money they may or may not have. I read this when I was 16, and I had been an outcast for being different, for thinking differently, for not wanting to conform in order to belong. I was a lone wolf, this book showed me that I was not alone.
July 4, 2024
Loved the book. Loved the movie. Absolutely LOVED the broadway musical and now the play adaptation as well! I first read the book the summer after my eighth grade year and it still holds a place close to my heart and probably always will. To this day, every single time I watch the movie or read the book, something always manages to resonate with me, which is what any good story should do.
Although the play adaptation was very faithful to the book (nearly word for word), the experience isn’t quite the same. What does remain is the heart and soul and honesty that leaps out from every single page. Ponyboy’s story is still as fresh as it was when I first read it all those years ago – and just as I did back then, I read it all in one sitting and sobbed.
Ultimately, this story reminds me to cherish what makes me happy. I hope you all can do that, too. Stay gold, watch sunsets, and remember that things are rough all over but never allow the decay of the world to jade you, make you angry, and turn you into to something you're not because there’s still lots of good in the world. 🌅💛
Although the play adaptation was very faithful to the book (nearly word for word), the experience isn’t quite the same. What does remain is the heart and soul and honesty that leaps out from every single page. Ponyboy’s story is still as fresh as it was when I first read it all those years ago – and just as I did back then, I read it all in one sitting and sobbed.
Ultimately, this story reminds me to cherish what makes me happy. I hope you all can do that, too. Stay gold, watch sunsets, and remember that things are rough all over but never allow the decay of the world to jade you, make you angry, and turn you into to something you're not because there’s still lots of good in the world. 🌅💛
July 20, 2017
solid story and dialogue but just doesn't work onstage with small budgets (unless you're willing to do it very metaphysically/with barebones staging). we worked our way around it, but fire scenes and gun fighting look stupid on stage if you try to do them as literally as the script required.
September 17, 2013
I read the Outsiders by S.E Hinton and three reasons why I recommend this book are. This book is very nerve racking, like when the church collapsed and Johnny got a big piece of timber across the back. Then Ponyboy was on fir and dally tried to put it out by hitting him but it only knocked him out. When Pony boy gained consciousness in the ambulance he had no idea how badly Johnny and dally were injured. The nurse was telling him about Johnny and Dally, she said that Johnny might not make it but Dally will. The nurse said “Johnny, well I don’t know about him, a piece of lumber got him across the back” said the nurse.
My second reason why I recommend this book is because it has a lot of action like when the rumble started “the moment either one swung a punch the rumble was on” Said Ponyboy. Another passage from the book is “I couldn’t find any one my size so I took the next best size and jumped on him. Dallas was already on top of some one.” Those are two passages why I think this book has a lot of action.
The last reason why I recommend this book is because it is very suspenseful. This book is suspenseful because Johnny and pony boy get jumped and Ponyboy was getting drowned by bob the leader of the socs. Pony boy eventually passed out. When he gained conciseness he saw Johnny kneeling beside him. He was a greenish white and his eyes were huger than I’d ever seen them. “I killed him,” he said slowly “I killed that boy.” Another passage from the book is “I barley heard him. I came closer and leaned over to hear what he was going to say. “Stay gold, Ponyboy, stay gold…” the pillow seemed to sink a little, and Johnny died. That is my reason why I think this book is suspenseful.
Those are three reasons why I recommend the book The Outsiders by S.E Hinton.
My second reason why I recommend this book is because it has a lot of action like when the rumble started “the moment either one swung a punch the rumble was on” Said Ponyboy. Another passage from the book is “I couldn’t find any one my size so I took the next best size and jumped on him. Dallas was already on top of some one.” Those are two passages why I think this book has a lot of action.
The last reason why I recommend this book is because it is very suspenseful. This book is suspenseful because Johnny and pony boy get jumped and Ponyboy was getting drowned by bob the leader of the socs. Pony boy eventually passed out. When he gained conciseness he saw Johnny kneeling beside him. He was a greenish white and his eyes were huger than I’d ever seen them. “I killed him,” he said slowly “I killed that boy.” Another passage from the book is “I barley heard him. I came closer and leaned over to hear what he was going to say. “Stay gold, Ponyboy, stay gold…” the pillow seemed to sink a little, and Johnny died. That is my reason why I think this book is suspenseful.
Those are three reasons why I recommend the book The Outsiders by S.E Hinton.
October 16, 2014
I can't believe it has taken me this long to read The Outsiders, especially since I have taught middle school English for 15 years.
This was a very good book about two gangs, the working class greasers and the rich-kid Socials (Socs). They fight, they smoke, they have long, greased up hair, but doggone it, they love each other and stick together, especially when things get dicey after the stabbing of a one of the Socs.
It was hard not to picture the famous group of guys who starred in the movie version--Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze, Ralph Macchio, and more.
Two things I was surprised to learn about S.E. Hinton, the author: One, is that she is a she (this is exactly why her first agent kept her name hidden, thinking that publishers wouldn't believe that a woman could write a book about gangs of boys). Two, that she wrote this novel when she was 16?1
Impressive.
This was a very good book about two gangs, the working class greasers and the rich-kid Socials (Socs). They fight, they smoke, they have long, greased up hair, but doggone it, they love each other and stick together, especially when things get dicey after the stabbing of a one of the Socs.
It was hard not to picture the famous group of guys who starred in the movie version--Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze, Ralph Macchio, and more.
Two things I was surprised to learn about S.E. Hinton, the author: One, is that she is a she (this is exactly why her first agent kept her name hidden, thinking that publishers wouldn't believe that a woman could write a book about gangs of boys). Two, that she wrote this novel when she was 16?1
Impressive.
Read
May 27, 2013One of the best reads going through middle school. It tells a story about "The Greasers", a group of individuals, or a gang if you will, who have lived hard realities and pasts. The Socs, the rival rich boy gang. I can always relate to the story of Darry and Ponyboy because Darry, a lot like my elder brother, is always telling Ponyboy to do well in school. The twist comes in when the murder of Bob takes place, and eventually, the want to turn themselves in, only to have a few of The Greasers rescue children from a burning church, where I believe Johnny gets burned and eventually, dies in the hospital. Ponyboy eventually writes about the life of a "Greaser" is for a school paper (or something like that).
October 8, 2013
I realize this is the play version but the regular book title did not let me write a review!
This is one of my favorite adolescent literature novels of all time. I read this novel when I was in 8th grade and it was one of the only books I read cover to cover in middle school. I was so drawn in my the characters and the on going battle between the greasers and the socials. I felt like the characters were also so well developed that it was impossible to not be completely immersed in Pony Boy and his gang. This is a story that I will always recommend for any seasoned reader. Plus it is always fun to watch the movie after you read the book! (Even though it never does it justice).
This is one of my favorite adolescent literature novels of all time. I read this novel when I was in 8th grade and it was one of the only books I read cover to cover in middle school. I was so drawn in my the characters and the on going battle between the greasers and the socials. I felt like the characters were also so well developed that it was impossible to not be completely immersed in Pony Boy and his gang. This is a story that I will always recommend for any seasoned reader. Plus it is always fun to watch the movie after you read the book! (Even though it never does it justice).
April 23, 2012
The first real book I ever read - I remember finishing it and being devastated that there were no more pages to turn. After that, I just new.
Thank you S.E. Hinton for writing this.
-CH
Thank you S.E. Hinton for writing this.
-CH
September 21, 2013
I like this book because because 2 greasers died for good reasons dally and johny
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2014
A great story for young people to read. Realize that if your parents ground you, yell at you and get mad its usually because the love you... sad when they are not there or just don't give a crap.
January 30, 2016
I liked it and the message behind it but it was a bit frustrating how quickly it went and with it being so short somethings felt like they were neglected.
March 15, 2024
I have to admit to never having read the original text of this story, however, we are adding the play addition to our 7th grade reading list as a companion piece to the original, so I needed to preview it. I really enjoyed the story and can understand why many of our students claim it is their favorite required read. It is still very relevant today. The play format was excellent and actually requires the students to carefully examine the stage directions, which is the standard we need to address, so I am excited that this will meet our needs. I am now going to read the original to compare, but I suspect that we will need to use the two texts side-by-side rather than replace the novel with the play, as the play is likely less robust than the original.
March 22, 2017
The book I am reading is the Outsiders written by mary downing hahn the main setting of this book is in a small town called tulsa oklahoma the characters include ponyboy, dally, johnny, too bite, and sodapop the conflict of this story is the greasers and the socs fighting. My personal opinion of this book is that it is a really good book and I think that most people would like this because it can teach people a life lesson about bullying and stuff. This novel connects to the theme because it tells about the greasers and socs place in this world and how they fit in. Yes, is do recommend this book i recommend this book to anyone who gets bullied because this book has a good example of why the people should live life no matter what because i know that some people who get bullied feel like they want to kill themselves and if they read this book it might give them a reason why they would want to survive.
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December 16, 2019This book is a great book hands down.This book made me show different emotions when reading in. Ponyboy was the main character and showing his point of view. It showed what he had to go through. Ponyboy and his friends were greasers, so they were low class. This book made me laugh made me cry. I would recommend this book to a friend.
October 23, 2020
Ponyboy's story is a very good one, with lots of ups and downs and a strong case of character development. This book is a classic. It presents the meaning of friendship, the love of family, and the fear of society. I definitely recommend this book. This book makes you feel every emotion as you're reading, and I wouldn't wanna have it any other way.
February 26, 2024
Sergel seems to have made his career in adapting the works of others for the stage. While this has to abbreviate the S.E. Hinton classic quite a lot, it does a nice job. The relationship between the three brothers has less depth, but to keep a little balance for the stage, Sergel has done a nice job in drawing out the stories of the young women in the book. I'd like to see a production of this.
September 1, 2017
A fast-paced story about a young boy beginning to understand different perspectives within society. Amazingly done! Loved every page.
October 13, 2017
I absolutely fell in love with the book after reading the first chapter!!!!!😀
July 9, 2018
It’s a good adaptation of an absolutely amazing book!
August 25, 2018
The book was sad and sometime happy.
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October 17, 2019it was really good and one of my favorites.
May 20, 2020
I really wanted to like this. Seems like it is a WEST SIDE STORY wanna be. I need to find an online performance of it to see how it plays out. Moderately impressed. Moderately not.
July 28, 2020
A must read for everyone
Read
February 22, 2021I loved it. It really shows the difference between two groups of teens.
March 17, 2022
Pretty good book
Read
December 2, 20233rd time reading this for cast read-through and I’m still finding new hidden gems
January 5, 2025
This was a re-read with my class. I loved it just as much this time and my students loved it too!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews